OECD Territorial Reviews

This series offers analysis and policy guidance to national and sub-national governments seeking to strengthen territorial development policies and governance. These reviews are part of a larger body of OECD work on regional development that addresses the territorial dimension of a range of policy challenges, including governance, innovation, urban development and rural policy. This work includes both thematic reports and reports on specific countries or regions.

OECD's territorial review of the Italian province of Siena. It finds that Siena, a predominantly rural province in central Italy, has enjoyed steady economic growth throughout the post-war period. This success has its roots in a diverse economy based on manufacturing, services, high-value-added agriculture and a dynamic tourism sector. Nonetheless, it is these last two sectors that give Siena its main competitive advantage: an outstanding concentration of high-quality environmental and cultural resources which are unique to the region.

The promotion of different sustainable development initiatives has been motivated by the need to ensure the valorisation and conservation of this major asset. This is most apparent in the effort to ensure that the region's development is not spoilt by the impact of mass tourism and an uncoordinated offer. The agrarian landscape also faces an uncertain future as the bulk of the cultivated land area remains dependent on EU subsidies, notwithstanding the market success of many agricultural producers. To respond to the challenges of sustainable development, Siena needs to fully integrate its development objectives with the most effective means to bring them about, in a co-ordinated and long-term planning exercise.

Table of Contents

Assessment and RecommendationsChapter 1. Siena as Representative Rural Region or Archetype?-Introduction-Evolution of the Territory-Problems of Reproduction-The Challenge of Development-New Requirements of GovernanceChapter 2. Territorial Patterns and Trajectories-Introduction-Comparisons with Other Regions-Functional Borders of the Territory and Interaction-Geographic Distribution of Resources-Strengths Affecting the Productivity of Factors-Territorial Potentials and ThreatsChapter 3. Governance for Sustainable Development in Siena-Sustainable Rural Development as a Strategic Goal in the Province of Siena-The Context-Participatory Planning Tools for Coherent Economic Territorial Governance-The Strategic Planning Process in the Provence of Siena-RecommendationsChapter 4. Access to Public Services and Infrastructures-The Challenge of Infrastructure and Service Provision in Siena-Service Provision Changes Brought about by the Bassanini Reforms-Public Infrastrucures and Sevice Provision in Siena-Major Trends in Service Provision in Rural Areas in OECD Member Countries-Some Feasible Options for Improving Service Delivery in Siena-RecommendationsChapter 5. Developing Sustainable Tourism in Siena-Introduction-Tourism in Siena: Resources and Opportunities-Is Tourism Development Sustainable in Siena?-Planning and Managing Tourism-Types of Tourism Particularly Relevant for the Province of Siena: Farm, Spa, and Cultural Tourism-RecommendationsChapter 6. Differentiated Agricultural Products-Introduction-Provision of Possible Non-Commodity Outputs of Agriculture-Successfully Implemented Strategies-Implemented Strategies Showing Promise-Emerging Strategies-Common Requirements-Differentiated Product Strategies and Rural Development-Common Agricultural Policy Reform-RecommendationsAnnex I. Establishing Carrying CapacitiesAnnex II. Core Indicators of Sustainable TourismAnnex III. Labelling of Typical Products